Mitsubishi to launch UAE's Mars probe

Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will launch "Mars Hope Probe", which would put the UAE on the world's space map.
The UAE has announced plans to launch Mars Probe mission in 2020, the first such initiative by a Muslim or Arab nation, to mark nation's 50 anniversary.
Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre or MBRSC signed a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to launch the Hope Probe to explore Mars.
The probe will be launched aboard H-IIA rocket in 2020.  On Tuesday, the UAE Space Agency and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre signed an MoU and a contract with Japanese institutions, to launch the "Hope Probe" to outer space, and strengthen cooperation in the field of exploration and development of human resources specialised in space science and technology.
The signing took place in a ceremony attended by Kanji Fujiki, Ambassador of Japan to the UAE, in the presence of Dr. Khalifa Al Romaithi, chairman of the UAE Space Agency, and Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).
The contract was signed by Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, and Hisakazu Mizutani, EVP at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
UAE and Japan confirmed their intentions to promote a broad range of cooperation in space sector on the basis of mutual benefit and reciprocity.
During the ceremony, the UAE Space Agency signed a MoU with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which covers various aspects of cooperation in space exploration and the peaceful exploitation of outer space, the development of scientific and experiential satellites, remote sensing, communications and cooperation in the exchange of information, research and scientific studies and data, as well as holding mutual lectures and research conferences.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, chairman  MBRSC said there has been cooperation and agreements in different areas related to other space projects, including collaboration with JAXA in DubaiSat-2 project, in addition to assigning MHI, the task of launching the third UAE satellite, KhalifaSat, the first Arab satellite which is being built purely by Emirati engineering and expertise in the UAE.
"The selection came as a result of an in-depth and detailed study in accordance with the probe designs and the rocket specifications, along with the company's experience in this area," he said.
Al Mansoori reaffirmed that "selecting the launch company and the rocket is a crucial and sensitive decision in space projects, especially for a project of such great importance as the Emirates Mars Mission. This project is one of the major steps in the UAE strategy in the space sector, as it represents a solid foundation for the establishment of a new industry, which has a vital role in the development of the economies of countries."
"We are confident that the UAE will have a significant presence in space technologies worldwide by 2020. Through wise leadership's vision, building a new generation of engineers, scientists and experts, as well as creating world-class infrastructure will contribute in making the UAE one of the few countries that possess developed space technology that serves humanity and enriches the human knowledge," chairman said.
Commenting on the signing, Dr. Khalifa Al Romaithi, chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said: " Japan has a long history of space science and technology and has accumulated abundant knowledge and experience, an experience that the UAE is interested in exploiting in what offers benefits to the local space sector, and enhances economic diversity in the country." haseeb@khaleejtimes.com